has been silenced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been silenced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone's voice, opinion, or other utterance has been prevented from being heard or expressed, such as in the following example: "The whistleblower's accusations were so damaging that the authorities made sure his voice was silenced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His voice has been silenced.

The Washington Post

"My generation has been silenced.

The Guardian

For the legislative year, though, the issue has been silenced.

The New York Times

Now this voice of balance has been silenced.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm therefore happy that a dangerous kook has been silenced.

The New York Times

With Aristegui's dismissal, one of Mexico's most intelligent and critical journalists has been silenced.

University of California, Berkeley

The hour bell has been silenced for long periods a few times before.

The Washington Post

Now that Nemtsov has been silenced, here are a list of the main opposition figureheads.

The Guardian

The debate has been silenced and £600k is the price for that silence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The promotion machine that once propelled them has been silenced, and now it's quiet, too quiet.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now that Enron has been silenced, what's next on the energy deregulation front?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "has been silenced" when you want to emphasize that a voice, opinion, or form of expression has been actively or passively prevented from being heard or expressed. It's effective in highlighting issues of censorship, oppression, or marginalization.

Common error

Avoid using "has been silenced" when describing situations where something naturally fades or ends without external force. For example, instead of saying "the engine's roar has been silenced", consider "the engine's roar has faded" if there was no specific action causing it to stop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been silenced" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has been subjected to an action that prevents them from speaking or expressing themselves. This construction emphasizes the impact of the silencing action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been silenced" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that highlights the suppression of a voice or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. While it is versatile, it's essential to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in situations where natural fading or ending is more accurate. Alternatives like "has been suppressed" or "has been censored" can be used depending on the nuance. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been suppressed

Indicates active prevention of expression; similar meaning but emphasizes control.

has been quieted

Similar to silenced but suggests a gentler or more gradual process.

has been censored

Implies official or institutional suppression of information.

has been gagged

Stronger, more direct term for preventing someone from speaking.

has been quashed

Implies forceful rejection and suppression of dissent.

has been muffled

Suggests reduced audibility, not necessarily complete cessation.

has been stifled

Indicates hindered growth or expression, often passively.

has been stifled

Indicates hindered growth or expression, often passively.

has been repressed

Suggests subconscious or forceful holding back of expression.

has been extinguished

Suggests complete destruction of a voice or idea, a more dramatic term.

FAQs

How can I use "has been silenced" in a sentence?

You can use "has been silenced" to describe when someone's voice, opinion, or form of expression has been actively or passively prevented from being heard. For instance, "The opposition's voice "has been silenced" through censorship".

What are some alternatives to "has been silenced"?

Alternatives include "has been suppressed", "has been muffled", or "has been censored", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "has been silenced" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been silenced" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing issues of censorship, oppression, or social justice. Its passive voice construction often lends itself well to objective reporting and analysis.

What's the difference between "has been silenced" and "was silenced"?

"Has been silenced" implies a state that continues to the present, while "was silenced" refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "Her voice "has been silenced"" suggests she's still unable to speak freely, whereas "Her voice was silenced" simply indicates that she was prevented from speaking at some point in the past.